Multi-county damage control assessment

Pine beetle task force marks first anniversary with a multi-county damage control assessment

September marked the first anniversary of the Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force, a grassroots program sponsored by Our Future Summit and The Greenlands Reserve Land Trust. The group holds twice monthly forums where members of the public share perspectives on challenges posed by the pine beetle phenomenon with forest professionals, timber industry representatives, tree service providers, environmental advocates and decision makers from various levels of government.

Our Future Summit president Howard Hallman reminded the gathering that the task force is a group effort with a goal of creating a sustainable forest and mountain landscape through collaboration. The task force brings diverse groups together to find solutions to the current pine beetle infestation problem.

 The September 7th meeting featured presentations by spokespersons from four adjacent mountain counties on how each one is coping with the decline of their forests as a result of the pine beetle epidemic.

 Eagle County Commissioner Peter Runyon shared news about initiatives his local government is taking to use biomass from beetle-killed trees for heating plants as well as to encourage the use of blue stain lumber in local construction projects.

Grand County Commissioner Duane Dailey mentioned that of Grand County’s 90 odd subdivisions, all have performed some level of fire risk mitigation He further expressed interest in finding ways to reestablish wood product operations in the mountains.

 Summit County Commissioner Bob French remarked that their just-concluded grant program has been a great success. The fifty thousand dollars in seed funds they distributed this summer in support of fifteen neighborhood initiatives have generated a “three fold return in terms of matching funds, volunteer labor and enthusiasm.” He further acknowledged that local educational efforts have helped people appreciate that the bark beetle infestation is a natural process.

First time attendee Ted Brown, representing Clear Creek County, conveyed his appreciation that such a policy forum existed and it was actively seeking creative ways to restore health to the forest. He confirmed that, while not as advanced as on the Western Slope, incidences of beetle activity have been steadily increasing throughout Clear Creek and neighboring Gilpin County.

In response to a question about what impact a beetle ravaged landscape might have on tourist-based local economies, the county representatives felt that visitors would continue to enjoy mountain living and recreation opportunities despite the changing landscape.

In answer to a question about the possibility of the timber industry returning to the area, Commissioner Dailey announced that Grand County was making a statement by building their new courthouse using local blue stain lumber. He said the time was right to offer incentives to reopen local sawmills and encourage small businesses to perform other on-site milling operations.

Colorado Timber Industry Association president Carl Spaulding reported that 90% of Colorado’s timber supply comes from outside the state to meet current demand. To sustain a local forest products industry, he said, weneed a reliable long term supply of green timber once beetle killed wood reaches the end of its commercial value. Sawmill and lumberyard operators now see more value in their real estate holdings than in commercial operations.

Finally, as a result of a suggestion, a small delegation of county government officials plan to meet with timber industry representatives to discuss the possibility of establishing a multi-county wood products enterprise zone.